NCPB buys 2pc of target maize in three weeks

The National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) has bought a mere two per cent of the targeted two million bags of maize since it started the exercise three weeks ago.

NCPB officials said the stringent vetting process, meant to block ghost farmers, had seen them buy only 59,444 bags of maize as of yesterday.

Eldoret depot leads with 38,888 bags followed by Ziwa at 12,000.

“We have so far bought 59,444 bags but we expect the volume to rise in the coming days as more farmers get vetted,” said NCPB Corporate Affairs Manager Titus Maiyo. “True, there are long queues and most farmers have not been vetted,” he said.

NCPB has capped the purchase of maize at 400 bags worth Sh1 million per farmer as the government moves to tame traders and large scale farmers who have been accused of abusing the window at the expense of small scale farmers.